NEW YORK, 14 May 2004 — Tom Glavine pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings to outduel Randy Johnson in a classic pitching match-up as the New York Mets edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 in National League play in Phoenix on Wednesday.
Both teams managed just three hits each as the two veterans locked up in a pitching gem that took just two hours, 28 minutes to complete.
Glavine (5-2) continued his strong start to the season by striking out three wand walking two while lowering his ERA to 2.05.
Braden Looper got the last four outs to record his fifth save as the Mets duo got the better of Johnson and D-Backs reliever Mike Koplove.
Johnson (3-4) allowed a lead-off home run to Kaz Matsui to start the game, but was nearly flawless after that.
He wound up also giving up three hits over seven innings with seven strikeouts and two walks as his ERA was lowered to 2.83.
Koplove tossed two perfect innings with three strikeouts. The 38-year-old Glavine earned his 256th career win while the 40-year-old Johnson has 233.
In other games, Matt Morris pitched eight solid innings, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.
So Taguchi and Jim Edmonds homered for the Cardinals, while Edgar Renteria had two hits and drove in two runs.
Morris (4-3) allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk before Jason Isringhausen worked the ninth for his sixth save. J.D. Drew hit a two-run homer for the Braves.
In Milwaukee, Lyle Overbay hit a two-run double to lead the Brewers to a come from behind 4-3 win over the Montreal Expos.
The Brewers overcame a 3-0 lead and rallied for the second time in two nights to beat Montreal.
Wes Obermueller (2-1) allowed three runs on five hits over six innings. Danny Kolb pitched the ninth for his seventh save.
Zach Day (2-4) homered in the game, but also allowed four runs — three earned — on six hits over six innings.
Dontrelle Willis pitched a complete game six-hitter to lead the Florida Marlins to a 5-2 win over the Houston Astros.
Jeff Conine also homered for the Marlins.
Willis (4-1) walked two and struck out one in pitching his third career complete game.
Mike Lowell hit a pair of home runs for Florida. Wade Miller (4-3) gave up three runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. Adam Everett homered for the Astros.
In San Diego, Brian Giles hit a two-run homer in the first inning to help the Padres edge the Cincinnati Reds 2-1. Brian Lawrence (5-2) went six innings, allowing one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Trevor Hoffman pitched the ninth for his 10th save.
Jason Schmidt homered and pitched eight solid innings, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt (3-2) allowed six hits while striking out five and walking three.
Pedro Felix hit two home runs for the Giants while Jeffrey Hammonds also homered.
For the first time this season, Barry Bonds failed to reach base, going 0-for-4.
David Bell and Bobby Abreu homered for the Phillies. Randy Wolf (2-3) allowed four runs on seven hits over six innings.
In Los Angeles, Wilson Alvarez pitched 7 2/3 shutout innings, leading the Dodgers to a 4-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.
Alvarez (2-0) gave up five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.
